February 2005
PRESS RELEASE FROM CLLR. P. MCGOWAN, CATHAOIRLEACH DONEGAL COUNTY COUNCIL
Deputation from Donegal Co. Council and Donegal County Development Board met the Taoiseach and 8 Government Ministers at Government Buildings today to make a presentation on the current development issues facing Donegal and the North West region and presented a case for a special initiative to address them.
The Deputation from Donegal was led by Cllr. P. McGowan, Cathaoirleach Donegal County Council, Cllr. F. Conaghan, Cathaoirleach Donegal County Development Board and included Cllr. T. Slowey, D. Larkin, T. Pringle along with the County Manager. A detailed presentation recommending a special initiative to deal with the issues facing the County was made on behalf of the Deputation by the County Manager.
The presentation was followed by a discussion with the Ministers on how a special cross department initiative for Donegal in the context of its cross border dimension could work in practice. The Deputation was told that a report would be presented to the Taoiseach on the need for the special initiative and on the form it might take. Michael Martin, T.D., Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment chaired the meeting which was also attended by Ministers D. Roche, Minister for Environment, Heritage & Local Government, Mary Hannifan, T.D., Minister for Education & Science, Martin Cullen, T.D., Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, T.D., Minister for Communications, Marine & Natural Resources, Eamon O Cuiv, T.D., Minister for Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs, Mary Coughlan, T.D., Minister for Agriculture & Food and Pat The Cope Gallagher, T.D., Minister for the Marine.
Cllr. P. McGowan on behalf of the Deputation expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting and the positive reception for the presentation. He described the meeting as a very historic occasion for the Council and the County Development Board.